Richard Charles Salerno

Dr. Richard Charles Salerno, born April 30, 1939, died Feb. 25 at the age of 76. 

He was the beloved son of Michael and Josephine Salerno and the responsible husband and father of Marian and Matthew.

On Aug. 15, 1970, he married Marian (née Munch), his lovely and beautiful wife of 45 joyous years.

A doctor of dental science, Richard began a long and honorable journey of learning, beginning at Bronx High School of Science, where he graduated with the Class of 1955, and later attending New York University School of Dentistry, all on scholarship.

Dr. Salerno, known as Dick to his friends, was an avid Porsche enthusiast, which played a deciding factor in his marriage to Marian, a fellow longtime member of the Porsche Club of America.

His endless generosity led to the adoption of Matthew Salerno. Dick enjoyed a successful dental practice in Eastchester, Westchester County, N.Y., and after raising a proud family in Scarsdale, N.Y., he retired in 1998 to the East End, where he, Marian and Matthew proudly called the North Fork their home.

Memorial visitation will be held Thursday, March 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 4, at St. Agnes R.C. Church in Greenport. Interment will follow at Calverton National Cemetery, where military honors will be rendered.

Memorial donations may be made to Southold Fire Department or any veterans society-run charity. The family said, “We appreciate the gesture and feel simply helping a charity of your choice would honor Richard’s legacy.”

This is a paid notice.